Thursday, April 7, 2011

A fellow Seattle blogger, Mrs. Bliss, just posted about The New York Times publishing an article last week on 36 hours in Seattle, which I just LOVED reading. I gets emails regularly asking for the "must-sees" for people visiting ... and to be honest, there is just SO much to do in this city that the list is never ending.

"Let's face it, Seattle's weather has a bad reputation. As they say out here, "The rain in Spain stays mainly in Seattle." I wish I could tell you that it isn't so, but I can't. It rains in Seattle -- and rains and rains and rains. However, when December 31 rolls around each year, a funny thing happens: They total up the year's precipitation, and Seattle almost always comes out behind such cities as Washington, Boston, New York, and Atlanta. So it isn't theamountof rain here that's the problem -- it's the number of rainy or cloudy days, which far outnumber those of any of those rainy East Coast cities.

Most of Seattle's rain falls between October and April, so if you visit in the summer, you might not see a drop the entire time. But just in case, you should bring a rain jacket or at least an umbrella. Also, no matter what time of year you plan to visit Seattle, be sure to pack at least a sweater or light jacket. Summer nights can be quite cool, and daytime temperatures rarely climb above the low 80s (upper 20s Celsius). Winters are not as cold as they are in the East, but snow does fall in Seattle.

Because of the pronounced seasonality of the weather here, people spend as much time outdoors during the summer as they can, and, accordingly, summer is when the city stages all its big festivals. Because it stays light until 10pm in the middle of summer, it's difficult to get Seattleites indoors to theater or music performances. But when the weather turns wet, Seattleites head for the theaters and performance halls in droves." - NYTimes Travel

*I've been meaning to write a post reaching out to all the Seattle bloggers to leave a comment so I can be sure to follow you! I just love seeing how others soak up Seattle, so if you live in the Greater Seattle Area ... be sure to add it your comment!! Xoxo

31 comments:

Gari B. Lugar
said...

That New York Times article about 36 hours in a certain weekly destination is one of my favorites to read and save. So glad it was about your home town of Seattle. Did you discover or learn anything new? I am read for a visit up there. MoMmA

I'm an hour or so away from Seattle. I've almost been here a year and I'm still trying to get use to the weather! I'm definitely looking forward to the summer here though.. there are so many places I want to visit and things I want to see in Seattle.

i'm just north of seattle. i've been here 10 months and i'm trying to get used to the weather. i think it really does rain as much as they say! i certainly miss the hot sunny days of the midwest :) and the even hotter texas days (i've got family in houston!)

I love Seattle! I lived in eastern Washington until I was in jr high so we got to visit a lot. I almost got a job there after college but it didn't work out and I was so sad! You're lucky to get to enjoy such an awesome city!

Thanks for this informative post! I have been fearful of the weather and it sounds like we better invest in some raincoats! I was hoping it wasn't as rainy as we've heard, but it sounds like it is. Either way - this was very helpful! Thanks!

As I write this comment, the sun is streaming in my PNW windows and I'm loving it! I agree with Jill and it's not the rain that gets old; it's the grey, grey, grey skies that drive most Seattlites crazy. But there really is nothing better than a spring/summer/early fall day at the lake, on the mountain trail, sitting outdoors at a local bar, or at a bbq in a neighbor's backyard. There really is no place like home!

Wish i had veeb following you when We came to Seattle! We came with soem friends 2 years ago and hung out then went to The Gorge for 2 nights to see Phish! It was a fantastic trip! We loved Seattle. Soooo different that the south!